Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth responded with enthusiasm to the news of the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8. We asked several Sisters to share their reactions, especially to his being from the United States.
Sister Sheila Taylor expressed curiosity, “I’m really excited. But really, more than wondering what nationality the next pope would be, I wondered what the stance would be on various topics. I’m ready to learn about what he thinks.”
Sister Paula Rose Jauernig appreciates the personal connection he has to people she knows.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful. Right after he was elected, I had a call from Father Joe Nassal (a Missionary of the Precious Blood). He said, ‘That’s my classmate! I went to school with him.’ So, it made me think, there are a lot of people here in the United States who had touch with him, it’s going to make your heart happy to know that the first American pope is somebody that a lot of us know. I think that his work with social justice is going to be phenomenal for the United States.”
Sister Charlotte White said she had no immediate reaction to hearing that Cardinal Prevost had been elected, but when she heard the name he chose, she became happy.
“When he [Cardinal Dominique Mamberti] said Leo XIV, I knew that followed Leo XIII, who was a great pope in terms of bringing the Church into justice, into looking at the working lives of people, looking into the reality of what people are dealing with up close, personal and wide and structured.”
Sister Helen Therese Mack expressed her hopes for the direction of the Church under Pope Leo XIV.
“ I hope he continues the legacy of Pope Francis, which I think he will do. And he will continue to work with the idea of synod and synodality, which is extremely important today.”
Sister Mary Rachel Flynn agreed, “I’m excited about the future of the Church.” When asked if she would give him any advice, she shared, “Take advantage of all the wonderful experiences with people in the world he’s had.”